Multidetector CT of bowel obstruction: value of post-processing

The value of imaging in patients with suspicion of bowel obstruction is dependent on the ability to answer questions relevant to the clinical management of patients. Is there mechanical obstruction? Is it a small bowel obstruction (SBO) or a large bowel obstruction (LBO)? What is the transition point? What is the cause of the obstruction? What is the severity of the obstruction? The results of studies published more than 10 years ago using axial and single-slice helical CT gave rise to findings based on axial slices that enables CT to answer these different questions. With the recent advent of multislice CT, large numbers of thin sections can be generated with short image intervals, which is well suited to postprocessing. Postprocessing techniques include standard reformatting methods such as sagittal, coronal and oblique reformatting, curved reformatting, maximum and minimum-intensity projection, variable thickness viewing, and volume and surface rendering. This pictorial review illustrates the added value of postprocessing for answering different questions concerning patients with suspicion of bowel obstruction.